Swansea striker Lee Trundle has pleaded with new Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton to hand him a squad place in the remodelled national team.
Since joining Swansea in July 2003, Trundle's goals have fuelled the club's revival and he has frequently championed his own case for a Republic of Ireland cap.
Previous manager Brian Kerr ignored him but Staunton's appointment has handed the 29-year-old a fresh opportunity to stake his claims.
Trundle qualifies for the Republic through his grandfather and saw his chances apparently boosted over the weekend after Staunton hailed him "a natural goalscorer" in an interview.
The Liverpool-born striker could yet earn a call-up for the Republic's first game under Staunton - a friendly against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on March 1st.
Trundle said: "I was made up when I read what Steve said about me and hopefully the dream will come true at last.
"Steve made reference to John Aldridge being a late starter on the international stage and hopefully I can make a similar impact.
"I've always said that I've got the ability to play at the highest level and playing for Ireland would be the next step up.
"I've scored goals at every level I've played and feel the international stage would perhaps suit me better because the better players have more time on the ball.
"I just want the chance to show what I can do and hopefully Steve will give me the call for the friendly against Sweden."
Trundle is confident his status as a League One striker will not prove detrimental to his international prospects, as was the case under Kerr.
He said: "In interviews it has sometimes sounded as though I'm bitter and twisted about not getting a call-up from Brian but that couldn't be further from the truth.
"I understood why Brian didn't pick me. He was under a lot of pressure and had to go with players who were already established within the set-up.
"But hopefully it's going to be a lot different with Steve. He's got the chance to give players a go in friendlies and he knows himself what talent there is in the lower leagues."
Trundle dismissed out of hand the cynical view that he is using his ancestry to forge an international career.
He said: "My grandad is from Inchicore in Dublin and ever since I was a young lad I've had my heart set on playing for the Republic.
"He's dead now but he would be so proud to see me playing for his country. I've got an Irish heart; my mum's husband is Irish and I'm over there all the time because I've so many family and a lot of close links there."
PA
